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Niger became independent from France in 1960 and experienced single-party and military rule until 1991, when Gen. Ali SAIBOU was forced by public pressure to allow multiparty elections, which resulted in a democratic government in 1993. Political infighting brought the government to a standstill and in 1996 led to a coup by Col. Ibrahim BARE. In 1999, BARE was killed in a counter coup by military officers who restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power in December of that year. TANDJA was reelected in 2004 and in 2009 spearheaded a constitutional amendment allowing him to extend his term as president. In February 2010, military officers led a coup that deposed TANDJA and suspended the constitution. ISSOUFOU Mahamadou was elected in April 2011 following the coup and reelected to a second term in early 2016. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. A Tuareg rebellion emerged in 2007 and ended in 2009. Niger is facing increased security concerns on its borders from various external threats including insecurity in Libya, spillover from the conflict in Mali, and violent extremism in northeastern Nigeria.

Location

Western Africa, southeast of Algeria

Natural Resources

uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum, salt, petroleum

Population - distribution

majority of the populace is located in the southernmost extreme of the country along the border with Nigeria and Benin

15878271
French (official), Hausa, Djerma
NIAMEY (capital) 1.09 million (2015)
Conventional long form
Republic of Niger
Conventional short form
Niger
Local long form
Republique du Niger
Local short form
Niger
semi-presidential republic
Name
Niamey
Geographic coordinates
13 31 N, 2 07 E
Time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Niger is a landlocked, sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence crops, livestock, and some of the world's largest uranium deposits. Agriculture contributes approximately 25% of GDP and provides livelihood for 87% of the population. The UN ranked Niger as the second least developed country in the world in 2016 due to multiple factors such as food insecurity, lack of industry, high population growth, a weak educational sector, and few prospects for work outside of subsistence farming and herding.
Inflation
1.007%
External debt stocks
US$ 2,891,867,000
Total tax rate (% of commercial profits)
48.2%
Real Interest Rate
5.199%
Manufacturing, value added (% of GDP)
6.263%
Current Account Balance
US$ -1,150,273,170
Labor Force, Total
6,655,000
Employment in Agriculture
56.90%
Employment in Industry
11.10%
Employment in Services
31.10%
Unemployment Rate
2.63%
Imports of goods and services
US$ 2,817,146,688
Exports of goods and services
US$ 1,226,938,225
Total Merchandise Trade
35.96%
FDI, net inflows
US$ 524,979,288
Commercial Service Exports
US$ 141,417,688
cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (manioc, tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry
uranium mining, petroleum, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses
Commodities
uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions
Partners
France 52.7%, Nigeria 20.2%, China 13.7% (2015)
Commodities
foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals
Partners
France 12.1%, China 10.6%, Nigeria 9.6%, French Polynesia 9.1%, Togo 6.2%, Belgium 5.4%, Cote dIvoire 5.3%, US 4.3% (2015)
Country Risk Rating
C
A very uncertain political and economic outlook and a business environment with many troublesome weaknesses can have a significant impact on corporate payment behavior. Corporate default probability is high.
Business Climate Rating
C
The business environment is difficult. Corporate financial information is often unavailable and when available often unreliable. Debt collection is unpredictable. The institutional framework has many troublesome weaknesses. Intercompany transactions run major risks in the difficult environments rated C.
  • World's fourth largest producer of uranium
  • Net exporter of oil products
  • Drive to invest in agriculture and infrastructure
  • Economy vulnerable to climate shocks and commodity price fluctuations
  • Landlocked country
  • Rapid population growth and high level of poverty
  • Deteriorating security situation

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